Simultaneous multi-parameter physiological monitoring device with local and remote analytical capability

ABSTRACT

Handheld medical diagnostic instrument that provides high time-resolution pulse waveforms associated with multiple parameters including blood pressure measurements, blood oxygen saturation levels, electrocardiograph (ECG) measurements, and temperature measurements. The device stores and analyzes the pulse waveforms simultaneously obtained from all tests, and thereby allows an unusually detailed view into the functioning of the user&#39;s cardiovascular heart-lung system. The device is designed for use by unskilled or semi-skilled users, thus enabling sophisticated cardiovascular measurements to be obtained in a home environment. Data from the device can be analyzed onboard, with local computerized devices, and with remote server based systems. The remote server may be configured to analyze this data according to various algorithms chosen by the physician to be most appropriate to that patient&#39;s particular medical condition (e.g. COPD patient algorithms). The server may be further configured to automatically provide alerts and drug recommendations.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This invention claims the priority benefit of U.S. provisional patent application 61/767,839 “SIMULTANEOUS MULTI-PARAMETER PHYSIOLOGICAL MONITORING DEVICE WITH DUAL LOCAL AND REMOTE ANALYTICAL CAPABILITY”, first inventor Xinde Li, filed Feb. 22, 2013; the complete contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention is in the field of medical devices to monitor blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, and obtain electrocardiograms. In particular the invention is in the field of handheld medical device designed for easy use by unskilled or semi-skilled patients and healthcare professionals.

Description of the Related Art

The human cardiovascular system is a complex system involving the heart, lungs, arteries, veins and other body components. The human heart itself can be viewed as an electrically triggered four-chamber pump. The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood (generally more blue in color) from the veins, passes the blood to the right ventricle, where the blood is pumped to the lungs. At the lungs, the blood becomes oxygenated (and also changes to a red color depending upon how much oxygen has been absorbed).

The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs, and passes this oxygenated blood to the left ventricle, which in turn sends oxygenated blood to the body via various arteries. During each heartbeat, usually in response to various electrical pulses (which can be monitored using electrodes and electrocardiogram type methods) various pulsatile sounds are generated (called Korotkoff sounds when used in a cuff-type blood pressure monitoring context), and various pulsatile changes in blood pressure also occur. For example, when the left ventricle is pushing oxygenated blood to the body, blood pressure is higher (systolic blood pressure), and in between heartbeats, when the heart is momentarily resting, the blood pressure is lower (diastolic blood pressure), and these pressure measurements vary according to the patient's pulse rate (typically between about 30 to 200 times per minute).

Various medical abnormalities can alter this process. For example, some medical conditions may cause the heart to beat irregularly (cardiac arrhythmia), and such cardiac arrhythmias are often of high medical concern. Blood pressure may be too high or too low. Due to either cardiac problems, lung problems, or a combination of the two, blood may not be sufficiently oxygenated as it passes through the lungs. Indeed in some diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), all aspects of the cardiovascular system may be gravely damaged.

Not surprisingly, given how fundamental a well performing cardiovascular system is to human health, various methods of monitoring different aspects of the human cardiovascular system have been developed.

Thus if a heart is receiving abnormal electrical signals, which can be diagnosed by electrodes and electrocardiographic (ECG) methods, the heart muscle may contract abnormally. This abnormal heart muscle contraction may in turn generate an abnormal pulse with characteristic sounds and characteristic changes in blood pressure. These pulse signals may be monitored by traditional sphygmomanometer type blood pressure monitors, which apply pressure to a portion of the body, and monitor the Korotkoff sounds with a stethoscope as a function of the amount of applied pressure. The pulse signals may also be monitored by more recently developed oscillometric methods, where oscillating pressure measurements at various cuff pressure levels can be automatically analyzed according to various algorithms, and pulse results produced. The variation in blood color (light absorption spectra) as a function of blood oxygen levels (saturation) can also be monitored by various types of pulse oximeter measurements.

Previous work in these fields includes Uemura, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,262,674 and 4,484,584; Taniguchi, U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,464, Shimazu, U.S. Pat. No. 5,680,867, Swearington, U.S. Pat. No. 4,263,918, Amano U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,984, Forstner U.S. Pat. No. 6,485,429, and Muradina, US patent publications 20080077435 and 20120330675; the complete contents of these applications are incorporated herein by reference.

The role of telemedicine in assisting care for COPD was recently reviewed in 2012 article by McLean et. al., (“Telehealthcare for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (Review)”, The Cochrane Library 2012, issue 8, published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd).

Methods to derive respiratory rate from pulse oximeter data was discussed by Addison et. al., (“Developing an algorithm for pulse oximetry derived respiratory rate (RRoxi): a healthy volunteer study, J. Clin. Monit. Comput (2012) 26: 45-51), and by Leonard et. al., “Standard pulse oximeters can be used to monitor respiratory rate”, Emerg Med J 2003, 524-525.

Oscillometric methods to measure systolic and diastolic blood pressure were discussed in Babbs, (“Oscillometric measurement of systolic and diastolic blood pressures validated in a physiologic mathematical model”, Biomedical Engineering Online 2012 11;56.)

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For critically ill patients in intensive care settings, who are typically under the direct supervision of one or more physicians, it is now standard practice to monitor a number of different cardiovascular parameters simultaneously. However in settings outside of hospital intensive care units, such as home settings, such multi-parameter measurements are rarely, if ever, done.

Here, because some embodiments of the invention may be designed for home use by unskilled patient/users, the terms “patient” and “user” will often be used interchangeably.

The invention is based, in part, on the insight that although wrist and arm based blood pressure monitors are simple to use, and thus are often preferred by patients in a home monitoring situation, merely monitoring only blood pressure during a routine blood pressure monitoring session represents a wasted opportunity. To more fully utilize this time window of patient interaction with a medical diagnostic device, a more capable device that is also capable of recording additional relevant patient physiological information, such as patient electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood oxygen levels, as well as other parameters such as temperature and breathing rate would be also desirable. It would further be desirable to provide an ability to extensively analyze the data remotely, as well as to easily relay the data to healthcare providers, caregivers, and other decision makers.

Blood oxygen levels can be produced by, for example, using various types of clip on finger pulse oximeters. These clip on finger pulse oximeters operate by shining light of various wavelengths through the patient's fingernail or other part of the patient's finger, often at wavelengths around 660 nm or infra-red wavelengths around 905-940 nm, where the color of blood hemoglobin is highly variable according to the degree of oxygenation of the blood, and other reference wavelengths, such as 590, and/or 805 nm, where the color of blood hemoglobin remains more constant regardless of degree of oxygenation. After passing through at least part of the finger or fingernail, the light is then detected with a photodetector, analyzed using a computer processor, and blood oxygen level computed.

By contrast, electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements are usually difficult and cumbersome to obtain, because most medical grade ECG measurements require that multiple electrode leads (e.g. 12 leads) be placed (usually taped) around various areas of the patient's body. In addition to providing additional medically useful information, multiple leads can also reduce noise and improve the quality of the signal.

The invention is based in part, on the insight that there may be advantages to abandoning the medical prejudice in favor of high numbers of electrode leads for ECG applications. If ECG methods using a smaller number of leads are used, such as one reference lead attached to the patient's finger, and another lead attached to the patients opposite hand, then the same clip-on finger pulse oximeter used to obtain a blood oxygen measurement could also be used to hold a clip on lead for a simple ECG measurement as well.

The invention is further based on the insight that the box or chassis used to hold the working components (e.g. air pump, microprocessor, battery, display) of a portable handheld wrist or arm blood pressure sensor can also be used to provide the reference electrode(s) for an ECG measuring device.

The invention is further based on the insight that it would be useful to combine, in one basic handheld instrument (or device), the functions of a wrist or arm mounted blood pressure monitor (with inflation cuff); with a clip on finger blood pulse oximeter that also includes a first ECG electrode lead and optional temperature sensor. The invention is further based on the insight that it would be useful to position another ECG electrode lead on the surface of the handheld device. Such a device would enable the patient or user to hold the device chassis in one hand, thus establishing an ECG electrode connection. The wrist or arm blood pressure monitoring cuff can be mounted on the wrist of the user's other hand. The clip-on combination blood oximeter/electrode (with optional temperature sensor) can be placed over the user's finger. The system can be further configured with a microprocessor that directs the device to sense the status of the various sensors multiple times per second while pressure is automatically applied to the inflation cuff, and store the results in memory.

Such a device would provide a wealth of data, such as synchronized blood pressure cuff obtained pulse waveforms, oximeter obtained pulse waveforms, and ECG waveforms while pressure was progressively applied and then released on the patient's wrist. This in turn would generate a large amount of physiologically relevant patient data that could then be used to monitor for the presence or progression of various diseases, in particular various cardiovascular diseases and lung diseases, such as COPD.

The invention is also based, in part, on the insight that although small standalone diagnostic instruments are often most convenient to use for rapid point of care acquisition of information, often the onboard analytical and data display capabilities of such devices are sub-optimal. Thus providing standalone capable medical diagnostic devices with the capability of interfacing with other computer systems with additional analytical and display software capability, either through local and more capable computerized devices (e.g. local personal computers, tablet computers, and the like) or remotely (e.g. through various server systems) would be particularly desirable for multi-parameter monitoring devices, such as the invention's combined device.

The remote server approach has some additional advantages as well. In addition to providing additional computing capability, a remote server can provide a means for providing a higher level of quality control (QA) in a home-monitoring situation. Traditionally, Q/A has been difficult for home-based monitoring situations. However remote servers can use the person's historic data, population data from other users, and knowledge of the characteristics of that device and the population of similar type devices for purposes of improved raw-data validation, as well as providing improved user guidance as to best modes of using the device, and best times for data collection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the multi-parameter monitoring device operating in computer accessory mode, where the device may be controlled by another computerized device through a data connection such as a USB or Bluetooth™ connection, and in some embodiments also obtain power through the other computerized device. Both a prototype design, as well as a more refined version of the device, are shown.

FIG. 2 shows the multi-parameter monitoring device operating in a standalone mode, here drawing power from its internal battery.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the multi-parameter monitoring device running a blood pressure measurement, ECG measurement, and blood oximeter measurement at same time.

FIG. 4A shows the interior of the combination finger mounted oximeter and ECG electrode device, taken from two slightly different angles, showing the springs, finger baffle, oximeter LEDs and photodetectors, and the ECG finger electrode.

FIG. 4B shows how the user's finger interacts with the interior of the combination finger mounted oximeter and ECG electrode device. Here, to better see the oximeter optical sensors and the ECG finger electrode, the two sides of the clamshell type finger probe are shown in an open configuration, but in use the two sides will be closed, thus bringing the oximeter sensor and the ECG electrode in contact with the user's finger.

FIG. 5 shows the multi-parameter monitoring device working as a simple blood pressure monitor.

FIG. 6 shows the front panel of the multi-parameter monitoring device.

FIG. 7A shows a simplified electrical schematic of the multi-parameter monitoring device.

FIG. 7B shows a portion of the interior of the device, showing the device's pneumatic pump, valve, and tube connection to a microphone or pressure sensor, internal batteries, cuff port, port for the combination oximeter/ECG, USB port. A portion of the device's optional external memory SD card slot is also visible. In some embodiments, the interior of the device may also contain an interface for an optional temperature sensor. The temperature sensor or sensors may be mounted either on the device itself (often underneath the device's ECG electrode) or on the clamshell type finger probe.

FIG. 8 shows how the external software portion of the invention, here running on an external computerized device, can receive the multi-parameter monitoring device's data, and display multiple channels of information on a graphical user interface (GUI). There real-time waveform displays of the pressure pulse, blood pressure, oximeter O₂ levels, and ECG waveforms are being displayed.

FIG. 9A shows how the external software portion of the invention, here running on an external computerized device can receive the multi-parameter monitoring device's data, and display on the external computerized device's screen, blood pressure measurements with additional ECG, finger pulse, and blood pressure. Additionally various multi-parameter monitoring devices' testing settings, patient information, and data files can also be set or accessed through this GUI.

FIG. 9B shows how the user may zoom in to display more details of the various physiological waveforms previously shown in FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10 shows how the external software portion of the invention, here running on an external computerized device, can also be used for managing the multi-parameter monitoring device's various files of test records

FIG. 11 shows how the external software portion of the invention, here running on an external computerized device, can also be used to manage the multi-parameter monitoring device's configuration settings and other functions, such as the multi-parameter monitoring device's real-time clock/calendar.

FIG. 12 shows an alternative software portion of the invention, here optimized to run on a tablet type external computerized device, using signals further processed by a remote server. This display shows the output of various physiological parameters determined either directly from the device, or computed indirectly using various algorithms. The results include systolic blood pressure (SYS), diastolic blood pressure (DIA), pulse rate average (PRA), pulse rate variability (PRV), heart arrhythmia (TAS), blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), breathing rate average (BRA), and body temperature (TEMP).

FIG. 13 shows an example of the device sending data via Bluetooth™ to a local Bluetooth equipped smartphone, and the smartphone in turn transmits (relays) this data to a remote internet server for further analysis. The patient or physician can then download this server analyzed data to their local computerized devices (here a tablet device) for subsequent evaluation, and/or configure the server to automatically react in certain situations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the invention may be a portable handheld device and method for simultaneously monitoring pulse waveforms indicative of blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, and electrocardiogram signals. This device will generally comprise a handheld base unit controlled by at least one microprocessor or microcontroller, suitable control software (often stored in flash memory), additional memory (e.g. RAM, additional Flash memory, which may also be used to store data accumulated by the device), a display such as an LCD display, and various user control inputs such as various buttons, switches and the like.

The microprocessor or microcontroller will generally comprise, or at least be connected to, a plurality of ports to drive various external devices to be discussed, as well as various inputs to either directly digitize various input analog signals, or else accept analog inputs in digital form via various external A/D converters.

In some embodiments the display may be a touch sensitive display, in which case at least some of the various user control inputs may be implemented via the touch sensitive display.

Although in some embodiments, the device may be configured for use by unskilled users such as in a home setting, the device will also frequently be configured for professional healthcare worker use as well.

The handheld base unit will generally comprise one or more air pumps and valves for driving a pneumatic blood pressure monitoring cuff (e.g. a sphygmomanometer), as well at least one detector, such as a microphone or pressure sensor to monitor pulse input (e.g. pulse sounds or pulse pressure differences) from the blood pressure monitoring cuff (usually carried by hollow tubing). This pneumatic blood pressure monitoring cuff (e.g. cuff, external cuff) will connect to the handheld base unit via intermediate tubing and via a hole or port in the handheld base unit (external cuff port).

The handheld base unit will often further comprise at least one first ECG electrode(s) mounted on the external chassis of the handheld base unit (302). This first ECG electrode will generally be placed in an area of the external chassis that would be a natural location for the patient (i.e. person being monitored) to hold the unit by one hand. Thus this first ECG electrode is intended to directly touch the patient's hand while the patient is holding the handheld base unit. In some embodiments, a temperature sensor, configured to measure the temperature of the user's hand, may also be positioned on or below this first ECG electrode.

The interior of the handheld base unit will also contain electrical circuitry for an ECG amplifier, as well as an electrical ECG/oximeter port to receive input from a second ECG electrode mounted on the interior of an external finger mounted combination pulse-oximeter/ECG electrode device. This will be discussed in more detail shortly. This external finger-mounted combination pulse-oximeter/ECG electrode device can be used by the system, in conjunction with the first ECG electrode on the exterior of the device housing, to obtain electrocardiogram pulse wave information.

Note that in a preferred embodiment, the finger mounted pulse-oximeter/ECG electrode will be mounted on a digit of the patient (i.e. finger, toe) that is different from the hand that the patient is using to hold the external chassis of the handheld base unit. Generally, the electrical path should at least in part cross the patient's heart.

The interior of the handheld base unit will also contain electrical circuitry to drive a plurality of finger pulse oximeter light sources at a plurality of wavelengths, and to receive photodetector signals from, the oximeter portion of the combination external finger mounted pulse-oximeter/ECG electrode device. The interior of the handheld base unit will optionally also contain electrical circuitry to read the status of at least one temperature sensor mounted either on the external finger-mounted pulse-oximeter/ECG electrode device, or on the handheld base unit.

The device software may be configured so that when a blood pressure monitoring cuff is temporarily or permanently plugged into the device's external cuff port (and then placed around the limb of a patient, such as around the wrist of the patient's arm), and the device's external finger mounted combination pulse-oximeter/ECG electrode device is placed around the digit of the patient (ideally a finger or thumb of the hand opposite to the hand of the patient that is holding the chassis and first electrode of the handheld device), the device will then apply (via the microprocessor or microcontroller at least one air pump and valve) varying amounts of air pressure to the cuff, usually by way of a hollow tube connecting the cuff to the device base unit.

The device's blood pressure microphone or other sensor (e.g. a pressure sensor) will typically either listen to patient pulse sounds, or more commonly (using oscillometric methods) measure pressure differences traveling over the hollow tube. This sensor will thus obtain pulse wave information as a function of applied cuff air pressure. Alternatively the device may contain a microphone (or other sensor such as a pressure sensor) mounted as part of the pneumatic blood pressure cuff, and obtain data by this method.

Generally the pulse sounds/pressure fluctuations vary as a function of applied cuff pressure, and patient blood pressure. When patients with higher blood pressure are tested, the pulse sounds or pulse pressure fluctuations to persist at higher cuff pressures. By contrast for patients with lower blood pressure, the pulse sounds or pulse pressure fluctuations will be more diminished at higher cuff pressures. This method can not only be used to obtain blood pressure (i.e. systolic, diastolic readings), but additionally, the shape of the waveforms can also be monitored, typically at least several times a second, to obtain further information pertaining to the presence of various cardiac arrhythmias and other medical disorders as well.

As previously discussed, blood pressure information may be obtained by either automatic (e.g. microprocessor performed) analysis of the Korotkoff sounds or by more modern oscillometric methods. In a preferred mode, oscillometric methods will be used. These methods may operate according to the algorithms of Babbs, (“Oscillometric measurement of systolic and diastolic blood pressures validated in a physiologic mathematical model”, Biomedical Engineering Online 2012 11;56.), or by alternative algorithms.

Examples of how such waveforms (often obtained using oscillometric methods) may be used to diagnose cardiac disease and arrhythmias are discussed in more detail in the Nov. 9, 2011 Biosign publication “Arrhythmias The UFIT® acquired pulse waveform is a simple and informative mode of screening for arrhythmias, as well as a longitudinal tool for monitoring changes in the rhythm of the pulse”, and the Nov. 25, 2011 Biosign “ANSI/AAMI SP10 Report The UFIT® measurement of blood pressure meets all performance requirements of ANSI/AAMI SP10:2002 as an automated sphygmomanometer.”, the contents of which are provided as references and the contents of which are also incorporated herein by reference.

The device may also be configured (e.g. via software and microprocessor/microcontroller control) to drive the external combination finger pulse-oximeter/ECG electrode device at a plurality of wavelengths, and obtain blood hemoglobin absorbance information as a function of wavelength and as a function of pulse wave. This method works because hemoglobin is known to change its relative absorbance at certain wavelengths very strongly as a function of degree of oxygenation, but at other wavelengths the absorbance of hemoglobin varies little or at all depending upon degree of oxygenation. At the same time, depending upon the pulse cycle, at some pulse stages such as during the contraction stage, the capillaries of the skin and tissues are filled with red-cell containing blood (where the hemoglobin is stored), while at other stages of the pulse cycle, such as during the relaxation stage, there is relatively little red blood cells and hemoglobin present, thus allowing background absorbance due to other body tissues to be subtracted from the overall signal. The net result is that by suitable analysis, both another type of pulse wave reading is obtained, and additionally the degree of oxygenation of the blood can also be determined.

This degree of oxygenation differs slightly according to if the patient has just inhaled or just exhaled, and thus breathing rate information may also be extracted by automated analysis pulse oximeter data as well.

An additional advantage of combining finger based blood oximeter data with a wrist or arm mounted blood pressure cuff type blood pressure monitor is that the combination of the two different modes of collecting data can potentially provide more accurate systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements. This is because during the time when the blood pressure cuff is inflated to the maximum extent to measure the systolic phase of the pulse (maximum contraction), the pulse pressure wave detected by the blood pressure monitor is at a maximum, and at the same time the smallest quantity of blood, and likely more deoxygenated blood is received at the user's finger. This shows up as local pulse minimums in the hemoglobin and oxyhemoglobin oximeter blood absorption channels.

By contrast, during the time when the blood pressure cuff is deflating in order to measure the resting phase of the heartbeat (diastolic phase), the pressure wave detected by the blood pressure monitor is at a minimum, while both a larger amount of blood, and also generally more oxygenated blood, is received at the user's finger. This shows up as greater signals in the hemoglobin and oxyhemoglobin oximeter blood absorption channels.

Thus when the pressure in the cuff is greater than the patent's systolic blood pressure, the blood flow to the patient's palm is cut-off and, thus the finger mounted pulse-oximeter will not register or detect any pulses. However when the pressure in the cuff falls below the patient's systolic blood pressure, but is still greater than the patient's diastolic blood pressure, there will be intermittent blood flow to the patient's fingers, producing an abnormal set of pulse waveforms. This intermittent blood flow can be detected by the finger mounted pulse-oximeter. In general, the pulse detected by the finger mounted pulse-oximeter will start to more fully resemble a normal pulse when the pressure in the cuff falls below the patient's diastolic pressure.

Thus, regardless of if the blood pressure cuff is operating by the oscillometric blood pressure method by detecting pressure sensor changes, or if the blood pressure cuff is operating by analysis of Korotkoff sounds using a microphone type sensor, any errors in the blood pressure' cuff assessment of systolic and diastolic blood pressure can, at least to some extent be either detected, or preferably even corrected, by use of blood oximeter data.

Thus in some embodiments, either the device's software and processor (or the remote server processor and software) may be further configured to use the blood hemoglobin absorbance information as a function of wavelength and as a function of pulse wave to improve the accuracy of blood pressure monitoring information obtained from the blood pressure monitoring cuff.

According to the invention, the device is also configured to monitor electrical signals from a first ECG electrode mounted on the external chassis of the handheld base unit, and a second ECG electrode mounted on the interior of the device's external, finger-mounted, combination pulse oximeter and ECG electrode.

This thus allows the device to obtain electrocardiogram electrical pulse wave information as well, usually during the same time that the cuff is operating producing its type of audio pulse wave data, and the oximeter is obtaining blood oxygen levels and optical pulse wave data. The net result is a “three dimensional” electrical/audio/optical analysis of the same pulse waves. That is, same heart beats can be analyzed from a blood pressure standpoint, a blood oxygen standpoint, and an ECG electrical activity standpoint. This technique thus provides a unique perspective on patient cardiovascular information. Critically, due to the portability and ease of use of the device, this data can be obtained in a much broader range of settings (e.g. clinic, home, travel) settings than otherwise was previously feasible. This facilitates both higher frequency monitoring, as well a better monitoring during times that the patient may be experiencing some distress at home.

In a preferred embodiment, the device software is configured to direct the device's microprocessor or microcontroller to store (in either local or remote memory), either the direct sensor readings, or alternatively or additionally variously mathematically processed versions these readings. Thus on a simultaneous or near-simultaneous basis, blood pressure monitoring pulse wave information (data), data from the external, finger mounted, combination pulse-oximeter/ECG electrode blood oxygen levels (e.g. device blood hemoglobin absorbance information as a function of wavelength pulse wave information), and various electrocardiogram pulse wave information useful for detecting cardiac arrhythmias and other problems can be obtained.

Although, in many embodiments, the device may be configured to analyze the data internally using its onboard microprocessor/controller or onboard software, in a preferred embodiment, the device may also be configured provide these various types of data, along with engineering data such as device air pressure information, light source driving timing data, amplifier settings, what part of the body the various sensors are connected to, and the like, to an external computerized device or remote server (often with more sophisticated data analysis capability) via a wired, wireless, or optical communications port.

This external computerized device or remote server, which often may have more data analysis and/or display capability than the device itself, may in turn be configured to analyze this data, generate medically useful graphs of this data, and also report on medically useful parameters such as various mathematically computed blood pressure, blood oxygen level, and ECG results.

As will be discussed, the remote server approach is also particularly useful because it can give the physician more options to customize the automated data analysis and medical recommendation process to the needs of individual patients. The remote server approach can also be particularly useful for home monitoring applications, because the remote server can also provide improved quality assurance (Q/A) and control. This is particularly important for home monitoring situations, where the chances of error may be higher.

The external computerized device may be a laptop computer connected to the invention using a wired USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection, as is shown in FIG. 1. However in a preferred mode, the external computerized device may be a smaller handheld device, such as a smartphone or tablet computer, connecting to the invention using a wireless Bluetooth™ connection. This smaller handheld device may in turn connect to remote servers using WiFi or direct cellular (e.g. 3G, 4G) type wireless connections. In some embodiments, some data analysis may be done directly on the local external computerized device, while more extensive data analysis, which may be done by various physician selected algorithms, may be done on the remote servers, and then relayed to the physician or other healthcare provider.

EXAMPLES

One embodiment of the device is exemplified by the UFIT-max system, presently in development. The UFIT-max is a portable vital sign monitoring device that integrates automatic blood pressure monitor, single lead ECG and pulse oximeter functions, and optional body temperature sensor into a personal digital accessory (PDA) (e.g. handheld) sized box.

The device can work either in external computer interface mode (e.g. PC mode) as shown in FIG. 1 or in a standalone mode running on batteries as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 1 shows the multi-parameter monitoring device (100) operating in computer accessory mode, where the device may be controlled by another computerized device (102) through a data connection such as a USB or Bluetooth™ connection (here via a USB cable, and in FIG. 13 via a wireless Bluetooth™ connection), and in some embodiments also obtain power through the other computerized device (102). The device's blood pressure monitoring cuff (104) and finger mounted combination oximeter/ECG electrode (106) are also shown. In this embodiment, the device (100) may be powered though a USB cable connection (108) and exchange data with the other computerized device (102).

FIG. 1 shows two versions of the device: (100) shows the prototype device, while (100 a) shows a possible industrial design for the commercial version of the device, along with the cuff (104 a) and combination oximeter/ECG electrode (106 a) for this more commercialized device.

FIG. 2 shows a close up of the multi-parameter monitoring device (100), pneumatic blood pressure cuff, first externally mounted ECG electrode (200) and finger mounted combination oximeter/ECG electrode (106). Here the device is not connected to an external computer, but rather is operating in a standalone mode drawing power from its internal battery (see FIG. 7B).

FIG. 3 shows an example of the multi-parameter monitoring device (100) running a blood pressure measurement, ECG measurement, and blood oximeter measurement at same time in standalone mode.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention will be designed to be easy to use. For example, one first ECG electrode (200) may be integrated and onto the device box (e.g. external chassis) (100), and another other second ECG electrode may be integrated inside the finger mounted oximeter probe (106). Temperature sensors configured to monitor body temperature can optionally be mounted under either ECG electrode, or elsewhere as desired.

Here, for example, the finger mounted combination oximeter/ECG probe may be mounted on a digit (e.g. finger) of the patients (or users) left hand (300), while the patient (user) holds or touch the ECG pad with the right hand (302), thus allowing an ECG electrical connection that passes at least in part through the user's heart to be established.

The blood pressure, ECG and oximeter signals can be collected simultaneously. Each signal channel can work independently or in cooperation with other channels. The device software can recognize the configuration and process the data accordingly. Thus once the device is set up, minimal or no further operator intervention is needed.

FIG. 4A shows the interior of the combination finger mounted oximeter and ECG electrode probe (106), taken from two slightly different angles, showing the probe's two clamshell sides (400), (402), springs (404), finger baffle (406), oximeter LEDs (408) and photodetectors (410), and the ECG finger electrode (412) (second ECG electrode).

FIG. 4B shows how the user's finger (300) interacts with the interior of the finger mounted combination oximeter and ECG electrode device (106). Here, to better see the oximeter optical sensors and the ECG finger electrode, the two sides of the clamshell type finger probe are shown in an open configuration, but in use the two sides will be closed, thus bringing the oximeter sensor (410) and the second ECG electrode (412) in contact with the user's finger (300). A temperature sensor may optionally be mounted near 408 and/or 410 (not shown) or elsewhere.

FIG. 5 shows that in some modes, the multi-parameter monitoring device can also operate as a simple, stand alone, blood pressure monitor.

FIG. 6 shows a close-up of the front panel of the multi-parameter monitoring device (100), showing the device display (600), control buttons (602), (604), power button (606) and ports (608), (610). The device is also showing some patient readings directly on its display (600).

The device is designed to be simple to operate, and thus compatible for use by unskilled users in a home environment. For example, in some embodiments as shown in FIG. 6, using only the power button (606) and two control buttons (602), (604); the user can easily start/stop tests, as well as review test records that have been saved in the device's built-in flash memory. This particular embodiment system has a built in real-time clock/calendar, and generally all test records are time-stamped. This onboard Calendar/Timer may further have power backup, such as a built-in super capacitor, to allow time-keeping to continue even when the device is unpowered.

When run in standalone mode under battery operation, this particular embodiment (i.e. this particular device) uses a 160×100 greyscale graphic LCD (600) to display the various test operating instructions, modes and results. For example, display (600) can show, ECG, finger pulse and cuff pressure pulse waveform data, along with date/time display, temperature display, blood pressure measurement display, heart rate, heart rate variation, systolic and diastolic pressure, and the like. The LCD display can also be used to review test record files, which contain the saved test records which cover blood pressure, temperature heart rate. As previously discussed, all test records may be time-stamped. Users can thus browse the test record based on testing date and time.

In a preferred or at least alternative embodiment, however, the device may be configured to communicate via a short range wireless connection, such as a Bluetooth® connection, to a local computerized device such as a smartphone or tablet computer. This local computerized device will typically be equipped with a high resolution color touchscreen, which will facilitate data display and analysis. This preferred or alternative “Bluetooth to smartphone” embodiment in action is shown in more detail in FIG. 13.

The start and stop buttons (602) and (604) can be used to start or stop the various measurements. In some embodiments, these start/stop buttons are multi-functional. When not in testing mode these two buttons can also be used for browsing the unit's on-chip test record file. Alternative control methods, such as using a touch sensitive display (600), can also be used.

An overview of the device's various major electrical components is shown in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7B shows a portion of the interior of the device, showing the device's pneumatic pump (700), valve (702), and hollow tube connection to a microphone sensor or pressure sensor (704), internal batteries (706), cuff port (610), port for the finger mounted combination oximeter/ECG probe, and mini-USB port (708). A portion of the device's optional external memory SD card slot (710) is also visible.

This particular device is capable of running under internal power using 3 AAA batteries (706), but can also draw power (5V /500 mA) from its USB interface if the device is connected to a suitable USB power source.

As previously discussed, the device may be designed with various flexible communication ports and interfaces. In one embodiment, the device can communicate with an external computerized device (e.g. a PC) (102) through the device's Universal Serial Bus (USB) port (708) or wireless Bluetooth™ transceiver. This particular device, as shown in FIGS. 1-7 features a USB interface (708) capable of full speed operation up to 12M Byes/Sec, a Bluetooth 2.0 transceiver, and an SD memory card interface (710). This SD memory card interface allows large amount of data (e.g. 2 Gigabytes) to be logged and transferred to an external computerized device at any time, and thus serves as a useful supplement to the unit's standard internal flash memory.

Built-in Storage: In this particular example, the unit's on-chip file management system allows the user to save up to 1000 test records, which as described elsewhere generally cover blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, and heart rate variation. Each test record may be identified by a time stamp. The user can review these past test results directly on the device in standalone mode according to the date and time the testing was done. The data files are non-volatile, and the data can be retained even when device is powered off.

In addition to the various data acquisition channels previously discussed, the device may optionally also monitor the patient's temperature or ambient temperature and other parameters.

As previously discussed, the various data provided by this embodiment of the invention can also be analyzed by external software running on various external computerized devices, here exemplified by Windows based Personal Computers (PCs), (see FIG. 1, 102) but which can be any type of external device (e.g. smartphones, tablet computers, desktop computers, and the like), including remote servers.

In the FIG. 1 (102) example, and in the screenshots shown in FIGS. 8-11, this external analysis software is Microsoft Windows based software, capable of running under one or more processors (e.g. microprocessors) under various 32 and 64 bit windows operating systems including Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, 64 bit systems: Windows XP x64Bit, Windows Vista x64Bit, and Windows 7 x64 Bit, Windows 8, and the like. In other embodiments, the external device analysis software may run under other operating systems such as iOS, Android, Linux, Unix, Windows and the like.

In some embodiments, internal or external device control and management software may include a data acquisition control graphical user interface (GUI). This GUI may do various functions such as real time waveform display for ECG, finger pulse determination, cuff pressure control and cuff pressure pulse determination.

Other functions may include real time temperature display, and/or provide a GUI for blood pressure measurement, waveform display for the ECG results, finger pulse results, cuff pressure results, as well as cuff pressure pulse during the deflation time of a blood pressure reading.

Various start/pause/stop buttons to may be used to control the cuff inflation and deflation process. Other GUI controls, such as various Zoom in/Zoom Out /Cursor buttons can be used to allow the user to easily view and analyze the various waveforms. Thus, for example, the user may pick one or more waveform peaks, calculate various waveform peak parameters, such as distance between peaks, and so on.

In some embodiments, an analyze button will allow the user to start various software analysis functions which can estimate heart rate, heart rate variation, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure and the like from either real-time data or from previously saved data.

Other GUI functions, such as patient information, can allow the user to input various patient related information into the system, such as patient age, gender, height, weight and so on. Various Save/Read file buttons can be used to allow the user to save and retrieve various types of test raw data and other test related information.

Alternatively in some embodiments, the device may be connected to a local Bluetooth™ computerized device such as a smartphone (See FIG. 13, 1300), in which case the invention may be at least to some extent remotely controlled using the smartphone or other local computerized device.

In some embodiments, the device software may also provide a GUI for various types of device built-in storage management. These functions can include functions such as download test records from the device, save test records to an external device file such as a PC file. Other functions may include buttons to allow the user to save device test record data to various file formats such as spreadsheet (e.g. Microsoft Excel) files. A read test records from PC file button/function can allow the user to retrieve various saved test records and view each test record as desired.

The external device software can also include a GUI for device configuration. This can be used, for example, to allow the user to read or set the device's clock/calendar timer, and/or allow the user to synchronize the device's time with the external computerized devices (e.g. PC) time. Other functions include allowing the user to choose various communication channel output modes (e.g. USB or Bluetooth) and allow a user check on the status of the device's built-in disk (e.g. solid state memory) capacity.

FIG. 8 shows how the external software portion of the invention, here running on an external computerized device (e.g. laptop, smartphone, tablet computer, and the like) can receive the multi-parameter monitoring device's data, and display multiple channels of information on a graphical user interface (GUI). There real-time waveform displays of the pressure pulse, blood pressure, oximeter O₂ levels, and ECG waveforms are being displayed.

FIG. 9A shows how the external software portion of the invention, here running on an external computerized device can receive the multi-parameter monitoring device's data, and display on the external computerized device's screen, blood pressure measurements with additional ECG, finger pulse, and blood pressure. Additionally various multi-parameter monitoring devices' testing settings, patient information, and data files can also be set or accessed through this GUI.

FIG. 9B shows how the user may zoom in to display more details of the various physiological waveforms previously shown in FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10 shows how the external software portion of the invention, here running on an external computerized device, can also be used for managing the multi-parameter monitoring device's various files of test records

FIG. 11 shows how the external software portion of the invention, here running on an external computerized device, can also be used to manage the multi-parameter monitoring device's configuration settings and other functions, such as the multi-parameter monitoring device's real-time clock/calendar.

FIG. 12 shows an alternative software portion of the invention, here optimized to run on a tablet type external computerized device, using signals further processed by a remote server, showing output of various physiological parameters including systolic blood pressure (SYS), diastolic blood pressure (DIA), pulse rate average (PRA), pulse rate variability (PRV), heart arrhythmia (TAS), blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), breathing rate average (BRA), and body temperature (TEMP).

FIG. 13 shows an example of the diagnostic device (100) sending data via a wireless Bluetooth® connection to a local (to the patient) Bluetooth equipped smartphone (1300). This smartphone in turn transmits data over the internet (1302) to a remote server (1304) and server memory (1306) for further analysis. At the server, the physician or other healthcare professional can analyze the data using either standardized algorithms, or alternatively using physician selected algorithms that are, at least some extent, customized to that particular patient, or customized according to physician preference. The patient or physician can then download this server analyzed data to their local computerized devices (here a tablet device 1308) for subsequent evaluation.

The server can comprise at least one processor (often chosen from the popular x86, ARM, or MIPS family of processors), Internet network interface, memory, an operating system (e.g. Linux, Unix, Windows), and various ancillary programs such as web server software (e.g. Apache), database management programs (e.g. MySQL, MariaDB, MongoDB, etc.), various scripting languages (e.g. Perl, Python, PHP and the like) as well as the various specific web pages, scripts, and other programs used to implement the functionality disclosed herein.

Although software and algorithms running on one or more processors aboard the local device (1300), the physician's remote device (1308) or even on the diagnostic device (100) itself can in principle perform many different types of analysis, there are a number of advantages to allowing the remote server (1304) and memory (1306) to take on at least some of the burden of data storage and data analysis. These are:

1: Due to the fact that the server memory (1306) has a potentially unlimited capacity, as well as due to the fact that it will be frequently updated with the results from a large number of different patients, the server algorithms can make use of various features, such as pattern recognition, that would not be as feasible on other devices.

2: Due to the fact that the server algorithms can be under physician control, this enables (with proper safeguards) the physician to customize the algorithms to the preferences of that particular physician and patient. For example, a physician may choose to go to a more sensitive setting, and accept the risk of more false alarms, from a known critically ill COPD patient. By contrast, the same physician, knowing that another patient is relatively healthy, may choose to select a less sensitive setting that generates fewer false alarms. Additionally, some physicians may wish to suppress alerts from all but the most urgent situations, while other physicians may wish to generally get more frequent alerts from their respective patients.

3: Due to the fact that the server can also have access to population data from a large number of patients, as well as population data from a large number of similarly designed devices, the server approach also can provide superior quality assurance (Q/A) and control. This is particularly useful in home monitoring situations, where Q/A concerns are often higher than in professional use situations. For example, the server software may be configured to perform additional checks to confirm that the data being collected is reasonable, as well as additional checks to detect potential errors during data acquisition. The server software may also be configured, as needed, to request the user to repeat collections as needed, set or change data collection intervals, recommend proper data collection settings, and the like.

Additionally, putting the algorithms on a server enables the physician to use more advanced analysis algorithms that may, for example, have been validated by various academic publication, and/or even officially recommended by the medical association for that particular disease, but which may not have yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for routine use in embedded medical devices. This can, depending upon physician judgment, actually improve patient safety and care because FDA review of new software algorithms intended to be embedded permanently into medical devices can be very slow and expensive. Indeed it can be so slow and expensive that many promising and clinically useful algorithms may never obtain official FDA approval for embedding into medical devices for general purpose use.

Although this patent application is not intended to provide legal or regulatory advice, historically the FDA has generally been more permissive about allowing physicians to use their minds and supplementary physician calculating tools, such as spreadsheets. The present invention's “Cloud Diagnostics™ ” approach allows physicians to extend their minds and calculating tools to select various algorithms that may be most appropriate to their particular patients, without the enormous burden of having to prove that the algorithm works for all patents at all times. So long as the physician or the medical society is willing to assume risk and liability for their use, then a wider variety of useful algorithms may be used then would otherwise be possible. This can result in better patient care and superior outcomes.

As an example of this, consider the case of an American physician who realizes that his patients are being inadequately served by systems that are presently being marketed. Suppose that in response to a peer reviewed articles such as Jensen et. al., “Clinical impact of home telemonitoring on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease., Telemed J E Health, 2012 Nov. 18(9) 674-8, a well-respected COPD medical society has recently recommended this approach as the proper standard of care for this disease. Suppose also that the physician is also unwilling to wait an unknown amount of time, likely many years if ever, until FDA approved devices implementing this recommended method are on the market, because most probably many of the physician's patients will die in the meantime.

To avoid these preventable deaths, the physician instead can use the invention to set up a semi-automated system that recommends changes in antibiotics and steroid administration (or other drugs) in response to patient uploaded measurements of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, and blood oxygen saturation. Here the physician may simply upload or otherwise select appropriate server analysis parameters, and have the system automatically inform the physician and patient when drug dosage changes may be advisable.

The patient can thus receive a nearly instant alert when medication should be adjusted. As a safety precaution, the server software can be set up to allow the physician to review and override these server generated recommendations if, in the physician's judgment, they are inappropriate. The remote server system can thus be set up so that the physician's professional judgment can remains in the loop at all times, but the system can provide extremely rapid (i.e. responses on the order of seconds) response times. Reliability can be improved as well, because the sever can respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and thus continue to apply the physician's best judgment even during periods when the physician may be asleep, distracted, or otherwise unavailable.

Trademarks: Bluetooth® is both a trademark of the Bluetooth special interest group, as well as a common term to refer to the IEEE 802.15 set of standards for wireless connectivity. Cloud Diagnostics™ is a trademark of Biosign Technologies, Inc. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of simultaneously monitoring pulse waveforms indicative of blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, and electrocardiogram signals, said method comprising: providing a system, said system comprising: a display; a portable handheld base unit comprising a base unit processor, software, memory, an external chassis, and user control inputs; a blood pressure monitoring cuff comprising tubing; said handheld base unit further comprising an air pump and valve, mounted inside said external chassis, for driving said blood pressure monitoring cuff, at least one detector to monitor pulse input from said blood pressure monitoring cuff, and an external chassis mounted cuff port to accommodate said tubing; an external chassis mounted first ECG electrode, configured to touch a patient's hand while said patient is holding said handheld base unit; an ECG amplifier; an external combination finger pulse oximeter-ECG electrode device that is separate from and external to said external chassis said external combination finger pulse oximeter-ECG electrode device comprising an interior; a second ECG electrode arranged in said interior of said finger pulse oximeter-ECG electrode device; a pulse oximeter arranged in said interior of said finger pulse oximeter-ECG electrode device, said pulse oximeter comprising a plurality of light sources and a photodetector; an external chassis mounted electrical ECG-oximeter port for receiving input from said second ECG electrode and said pulse oximeter; said electrical ECG-oximeter port and said processor further configured to drive the plurality of finger pulse oximeter light sources at a plurality of wavelengths, and to receive signals from the photodetector of said external combination finger pulse oximeter-ECG electrode device; said blood pressure monitoring cuff connected to said external chassis mounted cuff port; said external combination finger pulse oximeter-ECG electrode device connected to said external chassis mounted electrical ECG-oximeter port; placing said blood pressure monitoring cuff around the arm of the other hand of the patient; obtaining two lead electrocardiogram pulse wave information from only said first and second ECG electrodes by: placing said external combination finger pulse oximeter-ECG electrode device around a digit of said other hand of said patient; instructing said patient to hold said base unit so that said first ECG electrode makes electrical contact with said hand of said patient holding said base unit, while said second ECG electrode makes electrical contact with said digit of said patient; producing synchronized pulse wave, hemoglobin absorbance, and two lead ECG waveforms of the same patient heart beats by, simultaneously in real time: applying varying amounts of air pressure to said cuff, with said base unit processor, and obtaining pulse wave information data from said cuff as a function of air pressure; driving said external combination finger pulse oximeter-ECG electrode device at a plurality of wavelengths, and obtaining with said base unit processor and said photodetector blood hemoglobin absorbance information data as a function of wavelength and as a function of said pulse wave; monitoring said two-lead electrocardiogram pulse wave information from said first ECG electrode and second ECG electrode; storing with said base unit processor said pulse wave information data from said cuff, said, external combination finger pulse oximeter-ECG electrode device blood hemoglobin absorbance information, and said two lead electrocardiogram pulse wave information in either local memory or remote memory; determining a diastolic and a systolic blood pressure from the pulse wave information from said cuff; analyzing said diastolic and said systolic blood pressure based on the hemoglobin absorbance information; and displaying the diastolic blood pressure, the systolic blood pressure, and the synchronized waveforms on said display.
 2. The method of claim 1, further using said base unit processor to automatically transmit any or all of blood pressure monitoring pulse wave information data, external finger pulse oximeter-ECG electrode device blood hemoglobin absorbance information data, and said electrocardiogram pulse wave information, along with device air pressure information data and light source driving information data, to an external computerized device or remote server, located external to said external chassis, via a wired, wireless, or optical communications port.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said external computerized device or remote server comprises at least one server processor, and said data comprises pulse waveforms indicative of blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, and electrocardiogram signals; further using said external computerized device or remote server's at least one server processor to mathematically analyze said data producing server processor mathematically computed blood pressure, blood oxygen level, and ECG results, generate graphs of said data, and report on said server processor mathematically computed blood pressure, blood oxygen level, and ECG results.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein said external computerized device is a remote server comprising at least one server processor; said data comprises pulse waveforms indicative of blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, and electrocardiogram signals; using said at least one server processor on said remote server to analyze said data according to patient specific algorithms customized for a health status of an individual patient using said device; and further using said at least one server processor on said remote server to automatically generate medical alerts or drug dosage advisory messages according to patient specific algorithms customized for said health status of said individual patient.
 5. The method of claim 4, further using said at least one server processor and pulse oximeter algorithms to indirectly determine a breathing rate of said patient from said finger pulse oximeter data, or to improve accuracy of blood pressure monitoring information obtained from said blood pressure monitoring cuff.
 6. The method of claim 4, further using said at least one server processor, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) drug dose algorithms, and said data to recommend or change dose levels of at least one drug used to treat COPD.
 7. The method of claim 4, further using said at least one server processor, oscillometric analysis algorithms and said data to determine at least one of a systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, average pulse rate, variation in pulse rate, and pulse arrhythmia.
 8. The method of claim 4, further uploading patient specific medical analysis parameters and patient specific drug dosage algorithm parameters to said server, and using at least one server processor, said data, said patient specific medical analysis parameters, and said patient specific drug dosage algorithm parameters to recommend or change dose levels of at least one drug used to treat said patient.
 9. The method of claim 4, further providing a plurality of medical analysis algorithms and parameters and patient specific drug dosage algorithms and parameters on said server, and providing a menu allowing an authorized physician to select those medical analysis algorithms and/or patient specific drug dosage algorithms and parameters for said at least one server processor on said remote server to use to automatically analyze data from specific patients.
 10. The method of claim 4, further transmitting duplicate copies of said automatically generated medical alerts or drug dosage advisory messages to both said patient and at least one physician.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein said two lead ECG device consists of said first ECG electrode and said second ECG electrode. 